Landmark cases are Supreme Court decisions that establish major legal principles, expand or restrict constitutional rights, or fundamentally change how government operates. They set binding precedent—lower courts must follow them, and future Courts rarely overrule them, though it happens.

The Court uses landmark cases to define vague constitutional language. "Equal protection" meant racial segregation was permissible under Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, then impermissible under Brown v. Board in 1954. "Free speech" has been redrawn dozens of times. Each landmark decision shifts the balance of power between individuals and government, states and federal authority, or different branches of government.

Key elements:

• Establish binding precedent for all lower courts
• Interpret constitutional rights and government powers
• Can be overturned only by constitutional amendment or new Court ruling
• Often involve intense political and social controversy

Landmark cases are Supreme Court decisions that establish major legal principles, expand or restrict constitutional rights, or fundamentally change how government operates. They set binding precedent—lower courts must follow them, and future Courts rarely overrule them, though it happens.

The Court uses landmark cases to define vague constitutional language. "Equal protection" meant racial segregation was permissible under Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, then impermissible under Brown v. Board in 1954. "Free speech" has been redrawn dozens of times. Each landmark decision shifts the balance of power between individuals and government, states and federal authority, or different branches of government.

Key elements:

• Establish binding precedent for all lower courts
• Interpret constitutional rights and government powers
• Can be overturned only by constitutional amendment or new Court ruling
• Often involve intense political and social controversy